Six new players have been included in a
new-look men's basketball team for an invitational tournament in South
Africa from March 18-22.
Carey Odhiambo, the head coach has
nearly transformed the team by including new and young players. Usual
faces like Ulinzi Warriors duo of Ancete Wafula and William Ochieng are
missing as focus shifts to the youthful talent.
Odhiambo says
no player was overlooked during selection but he only changed the
approach from the past. Currently, twelve players are in training and
will leave the country on March 17.
Three players were dropped
from the initial list and Odhiambo is happy with the composition. “It is
well balanced with players spread out across clubs and a good mixture
of new and few players who featured previously.”
Khaemba Situma
of United States International University- Africa (USIU-A), Co-op Bank’s
duo of James Mwangi and Allan Ouma as well as Philip Ameny who plays
for Ugandan side Tigerhead Power are the players with international
exposure.
Kevin Kigotho, Victor Bosire and Alvin Nyangweso
(USIU-A), Valentine Nyakinda, Evans Letting and Ariel Okal (KPA)
together with Evans Ochieng (Co-op Bank) are all making their maiden or
second appearance for the national team.
“One of our goals in
South Africa will be making it to the final which is a dream for any
team. Most importantly, we are out to build a team for the future
therefore our main goal will not be to win but expose the players,” he
said. Eyes on 2016 Africa Nations Cup
This
is the team that Odhiambo hopes to rebuild as they eye the 2016 Africa
Nations Cup qualifiers later in the year. The norm has always been to
disband the team and technical bench after one tournament but things
might be different this time round. KBF is keen to have consistency.
“That
is something I have discussed with the federation on the need to keep
this team intact and strengthen it. We need to keep them in regular
training and the chairman is very happy with our progress so far.”
Khaemba Situma will captain the team and deputized by Ameny. He has
embraced the challenge with both hands and is ready to lead the team to a
good performance in South Africa. He admitted it will not be an easy.
“At
least we have seen the Nigerian and South African leagues on TV so we
know something about their style of play. For Mozambique, we have no
idea but we are ready for them,” he said after Tuesday's training
session at Nyayop National Stadium gymnasium.
“The tournament
has come at a good time as we prepare for international assignments
later in the year. It will help us gauge our abilities and
preparedness.”
Situma is one of the few players surviving from
the past regimes and says they are gelling well with new players. He
featured at the Fiba under-18 championships in 2008 alongside Victor
Bosire, Titus Musembi and Evans Letting.
“These are players I have played with in the past. We understand each other well so it is not hard gelling.” Full Squad:
James Mwangi, Allan Ouma, Titus Musembi, Evans Ochieng (Co-operative
Bank), Ariel Okal, Evans Letting, Valentine Nyakinda (KPA), Philip Ameny
(Tigerhead Power), Alvin Nyangweso, Victor Bosire, Kevin Kigotho,
Khaemba Situma (USIU-A).